Charlemont, MA

Products and Services

Furniture Philosophy

(Is there such a thing?)

Well, this is my website, so there is here!
Except in antique restoration, I do not use veneer in my furniture. Many of the finest pieces in the world are veneered. But wood that is 1/32 of an inch thick does not speak to me in the same way as solid wood.

Along with that, I feel that furniture should be lived with. No one should have to live in a museum where you tiptoe around the place. I even tell clients that it is OK to put their feet up on my coffee tables if they desire. (I do!) that’s not to say that furniture shouldn’t be cared for and respected. But furniture should be used and loved by its owners. And if, 50-100 years from now it’s looking a little tired, your ancestors can have it restored.

Designs

For much of my career I have worked on high-end antiques, and building custom commissioned furniture for a discriminating clientele. As much as I loved doing this, I wanted to move the focus of the company. Restoration work is rewarding, but given that the highest praise a restorer can get is that it looks like s/he was never there, it does not offer much room for expression. And as creative as making one of a kind custom pieces is, I found myself wanting to have the opportunity to refine my designs and to explore my own direction. I also wanted to be able to offer a wider range of pieces that would make my work accessible to a broader market.

The following pieces represent the growing body of this exciting work. As part of this process, I welcome ideas for pieces that you would be interested in, and feedback on our current work.

I feel my best work comes out of interactions with others!

Finish

The purpose of a finish is three-fold;

To protect the wood from wear, dirt, and moisture.

To enhance the beauty of the wood.

To embrace and bring forth the character of the piece.

Most finishers will do a passable job on numbers one and two. The most challenging but often neglected purpose is number three. Sometimes a piece requires a highly polished, rich finish. Other times, the ideal finish might be no finish at all. It all depends on the piece, and what you are trying to say. I would never use a a�?Danish Oila�? finish on a period chest on frame. It would ask for filled pores, multiple coats of shellac, rubbing and waxing.

Conversely, a rustic cutting board demands nothing but mineral oil and wax. Hard use surfaces such as tables and desks receive a durable oil varnish that can stand up to heat, hot water, and alcohol. It all depends on the piece……..